Richard Mayne: £10,900 for MH17 victim’s charity

A charity appeal set up by a victim of flight MH17 has broken through the £10,000 barrier after attracting hundreds of new donations following his death.

More than 660 people have now donated about £10,900 to the Kidasha charity on a JustGiving web-page set up by 20-year-old Richard Mayne.

Mr Mayne, who was originally from Leicester but was studying at the University of Leeds, set up the appeal in January before travelling to Nepal to undertake voluntary work in March.

In a statement issued yesterday, London-based Kidasha confirmed the proceeds of Mr Mayne’s fundraising will be used to help repair a shelter he spent time at in Nepal.

The charity, which helps families living in poverty in Nepal with healthcare and other needs, said the contents of a drop-in centre visited by Richard Mayne were destroyed by floodwaters on the day he was killed.

Kidasha’s chief executive, Janice Miller, said: “Richard was one of a group of students from Leeds University that earlier in the year trekked to Everest Base Camp in aid of Kidasha.

“After the trek the group visited some of our projects and met some of the children that Kidasha’s work supports.

“Richard was an incredibly enthusiastic and caring member of the group, who spent time organising art activities and games with children attending a drop-in centre for children living in one of the many slums in and around Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city.”

People from around the world have now donated to the JustGiving appeal, including a woman who gave her name only as Alice.

She posted on the site: “My thoughts go out to you Richard, and your family and friends.

“As everyone is saying, you were extremely selfless and you would be proud to see something good come out of such a devastating tragedy.”

Donations to Mr Mayne’s appeal can be made at: www.justgiving.com/Richard-Mayne1